Monday, July 5, 2010
Wombat Rue
Posted By Gavin Sheehan on July 5, 2010, 2:42 AM
After
serving in one of the United States' armed forces for a good portion
of your life, most who retire would either relax on the earnings they just received from the government, or take up a vocation that revolves
somewhat around what they used to do. So it probably comes as an
interesting twist to see someone go from that type of career to...
comics?
--- Brady Canfield left the Air Force after twenty years
of service to take up illustration and comics as a full-time endeavor
from his Park City home. In the process of which, taking his sketches
and ideas from those years and turning them into a self-published
series known as Wombat Rue. I got a chance to chat with Brady
about his two very different jobs as well as the new series, plus his
thoughts on comics today.
Brady
Canfield
http://www.wombat-rue.com/
Gavin:
Hey Brady. First thing, tell us a bit about yourself.
Brady:
My very first memory was when I was two, riding on a horse with my
dad. The saddle horn was huge and felt like steering wheel. I
convinced my dad to make the horse run, and away we went until it
jumped a ditch and I went flying off. Dad caught my foot, threw me
back on and we kept riding. I turned into a bit of a thrill seeker
after that, but survived to become an adult, at least in
age.
Gavin:
How did you first take an interest in comics and what were some of
your influences growing up?
Brady:
I've loved cartoons since the first time I saw them as a little kid.
Saturday mornings were the highlight of the week! Cartoons from
early morning until lunch time, when the dreaded news came on. Ick!
Who'd want to watch that? I loved watching “Rocky &
Bullwinkle”, “Scooby Doo”, “Darkwing Duck”, reading Casper
and Hot Stuff, and looking at Charlie Russell and Frank
Frazetta paintings. A good psychologist might be able to explain how
Wombat Rue grew out of that, I certainly can't.
Gavin:
A rather strange note on the resume for a comic creator, you served
in the Air Force for roughly twenty years. What made you choose to
serve so many years ago?
Brady:
I have a love for science, as well as art. My family steered me
toward a "practical" degree in college, and art wasn't one
of the choices, so I went into math until I figured out which science
I liked the most. That became physics. The Air Force was an easy
choice, because I wanted to get into the most cutting edge technology
available, and they have it. Want to know where CD's came from? Yep,
the Air Force.
Gavin:
What was your experience like serving in the Air Force?
Brady:
The word "teamwork" is a pale shadow for how well people
work together in the Air Force. My experiences were priceless,
regardless of the which job I had at the time.
Gavin:
Along with that, you've competed in and won metals for Skeleton. How
did you get involved with that sport and how have you faired
competing over the years?
Brady:
While I was stationed in upstate New York, I met a friend from the
National Team, who took me to Lake Placid for a weekend. I tried
Skeleton and fell in love with it. The rush of wind whipping by,
getting louder and louder as you keep accelerating, ...it became a
new passion. I did it as a hobby on weekends for about four years, then
one year made the National Team, staying on it for the next ten years.
My best year was 2003--US National Champion, and a bronze medal at
World Championships. I was 39, and the 20-somethings were not happy. Heh heh heh.
Gavin:
I read that during your years of service you did a lot of sketch
work in your spare time. Was it simply a hobby at the time or
something you were aiming to do down the road?
Brady:
I've always drawn, sketched, built, created, etc... so replace
"hobby" with "passion" and we're ready to start.
I didn't have a specific goal in mind at the time--between serving
the Air Force, competing in Skeleton, and trying to be a good dad, my
dance card was a bit full. However, I always wanted to create
something that crossed outside the barrier of the "comic book"
audience.
Gavin:
What eventually made you decide to become a full-time artist and
drawing your own comic?
Brady:
The desire to create, the love of drawing. A blank piece of paper
in front of you, the smell of the pencil when you sharpen it. The
whole universe saying "here's what's available, use what you
like." No boundaries, no rules, just imagination and a place to
share it. I stepped out of the Air Force and away from Skeleton at
the same time, so I had the time to pursue other dreams. Turns out
making your own book from end to end takes a lot of time. Who knew?
It's time I love spending though. Did I tell you I love doing
art?
Gavin:
How did the idea come about for Wombat Rue?
Brady:
The name itself came from the Cold War. After that it became it's
own animal, pun intended. One of my non-physics jobs was called
Combat Crew (you can see where I'm going with this), it was on our
uniforms, vehicles, everywhere. One day while going on what was
called "Alert"--a 24 hour shift where we were the first
line of defense against the big bad Soviet Union--I took note the
crew vehicle in front of me. These trucks were not shiny hollywood
vehicles, they were old, and what we had. This particular truck no
longer said "Combat Crew". The paint was faded and chipped
and beat up and said "ombat rew". My gray stuff
processed "Wombat Rue" out of that, and a hero was born!
(I pulled 267 alerts, by the way.) Then I researched what a wombat actually
was. They're marsupials from Australia that look like a ball of fur
with a big nose, and they dig. Once I was issued my creative
license, I gave him hands, clothes, a shovel, a stoic attitude, and a
world to rebuild.
Gavin:
Considering your style and design, did you choose to do it in
traditional sketching or with computer animation, and why?
Brady:
I love the feeling of putting ink on paper. That's my favorite part
of creating a drawing. I'll draw it in blue line, ink it, then from
there take it to the computer for color and lettering. With the 21st
century, the computer is a necessity at some point, no matter what
the medium begins with. I do plan to animate Wombat Rue, make into
full feature film. I watch movies with my eyes closed just to hear
who might make a good voice actor.
Gavin:
When you finally put out the first issue, what was the reaction like
from people?
Brady:
Embarrassingly positive. I have fans from all ages, mostly from
people who normally don't read comics. The story makes people happy
and they can't wait for the next issue. I was thrilled, inspired to
get the next issues out for them, and hopefully new readers.
Gavin:
Currently you have the first issue out and circulating around. What
kind of schedule are you setting for yourself with this
series?
Brady: Wombat Rue will be published bimonthly. The second issue came out
less than two weeks ago and is in circulation now too. Every four issues
will be bound into graphic novels, which will include "deleted
scenes" and "out-takes". This assumes your readers
buy it of course (so I can afford to print more issues - I don't have
a fairy godmother throwing gold coins at me).
Gavin:
Aside from the book, what other material are you working on now that
you've made this your career?
Brady:
I do life drawing as well. And I have ideas for at least three more
comic book series. I'm hooked.
Gavin:
Going a bit local, what's your take on the Utah comic book scene,
both good and bad?
Brady:
Well, this goes way beyond the comic book scene, although I've
gotten an incredible reception from NightFlight Comcis. I've also
been getting support from other local business owners that are
carrying Wombat Rue - like a grocery store (The Market), gift shop
(Livin Life), and soon an ice cream shop (Yellow Snow). The support
is amazing, from fans to professionals. The fans, though small in
number, are great people--kinda like a filet, a small amount of meat,
but all choice. There are other local artists who are great people
as well as great artists. The only bad I really see is the general
misconception that comics are only for young boys - my fans include
soccer moms and dads, grandparents and teenagers. There really is
something out there for everyone - and that's what I aim to provide
with Wombat Rue.
Gavin:
Who are some of the artists and writers you read and would
recommend?
Brady:
Paul Dini is one of my favorite comic writers. He can tell a great
story. I love the artwork of Skottie Young, Khary Randolph, and Ben
Caldwell.
Gavin:
On a more national scale, what are your thoughts on the comics
industry today?
Brady:
The industry is struggling. But I'm actually aiming beyond the
comics industry - I want to get Wombat Rue into every grocery store
in Utah! Then other states, then the WORLD! Do you know anyone who
could help with that?
Gavin:
If you had to make a top five, what are your most favorite titles
currently out?
Brady: Darkwing Duck, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Fraggle Rock, Scott
Pilgrim, and Buffy The Vampire Slayer.
Gavin:
What can we expect from you over the rest of the year?
Brady:
You can expect me to keep new issues coming every two months, and I
want to start visiting schools and libraries promoting both literacy
and art. I'd love to hear from teachers, schools, and libraries who
want me to come give presentations or workshops.
Gavin:
Aside the obvious, is there anything you'd like to plug or
promote?
Brady:
Read Wombat Rue!! If you don't read comics, you should try this
one, you really should. You won't regret it! I'll be at the Park
Silly Sunday Market July 11, 18 & 25, and August 1 & 15 from 10AM-5PM each Sunday. I love to meet and chat with people about
Wombat Rue and other immature topics. Drop by, say hello, and I'll
give you a FREE sketch. Just because!
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